UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
FPP 2013 29
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPITAL AND EMPLOYEE WORK PERFORMANCE IN
MALAYSIAN PUBLIC ORGANZATIONS
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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPITAL
AND EMPLOYEE WORK PERFORMANCE IN
MALAYSIAN PUBLIC ORGANZATIONS
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
2013
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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPITAL
AND EMPLOYEE WORK PERFORMANCE IN
MALAYSIAN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
By
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
May 2013
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COPYRIGHT
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Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment
of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPITAL
AND EMPLOYEE WORK PERFORMANCE IN
MALAYSIAN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
By
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
May 2013
Chairman : Professor. Jegak Uli, PhD
Faculty : Faculty of Educational Studies
The main purpose of this research was to determine the factors that help to explain
the variation of work performance among employees in Malaysian public sector
organizations. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) Determine the
relationship between physical and financial, human, social, natural capital and work
performance, (2) Assess the proposed four-factor regression model to explain the
variation of work performance among employees in Malaysian public sector
organizations, and (3) Determine whether gender and job category moderate the
relationship between physical and financial, human, social, natural capital and work
performance.
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The dependent variable for this study was work performance. There were four
independent variables in this study namely physical and financial capitals (PFC),
human capital (HC), social capital (SC), and natural capital (NC). The basis of the
theoretical foundation of this study were based on the Harwell (1979) job
performance model and expanded model of ecological economic system described
by Costanza, Cumberland, Daly, Goodland, and Norgaard (1997). The core of this
models was the set of four basic types of capital: natural, human, social and
manufactured. A balance among these four capitals is necessary for excellent work
performance. This study hypothesized that physical and financial, human, social, and
natural capitals are positively correlated to work performance and the contribution
level of four capitals towards variance in work performance and finally the
moderation effect of gender and job category. A positive relationship suggests that
work performance is more apt to increase when the physical and financial, human,
social, and natural capital increase.
This study used a two-stage of cluster sampling described by Scheaffer, Mendenhall
and Ott (1990, p. 224). The first task in the two-stage cluster sampling was to specify
appropriate clusters, in this study, all the 25 federal ministries were selected as the
survey clusters. Subsequently, from this sampling frame, 6 ministries were selected
using a simple random sampling procedure. The second task in the two-stage cluster
sampling involved selecting 90 employees from the selected survey clusters by using
simple random sampling. A total of 540 employees were selected for the survey. All
the 540 employees responded fully. Thus, this figure represents the final number
used for the confirmatory data analyses of this study.
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The findings revealed, all the four capitals positively correlated with work
performance. In addition, only human capital and social capital were significantly
support the proposed model. The human capital made the strongest contribution in
explaining variation of work performance and followed by social capital. Job
category and gender only moderated the relationship between social capital and work
performance. Therefore, the relationship between physical & financial, human, and
natural capitals with work performance can be generalized for all levels of job
category and irrespective of difference in gender.
Based on the findings and conclusion of this study, the following recommendation is
offered. An organization should provide necessary and adequate capitals referred to
current needs and importance for continuous development. Furthermore, all the
capitals must be organized wisely to capture optimal output in the public sector
organizations.
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Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai
memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Doktor Falsafah
HUBUNGAN ANTARA MODAL ORGANISASI DAN
PRESTASI KERJA PEKERJA DI ORGANISASI
PERKHIDMATAN AWAM MALAYSIA.
Oleh
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
Mei 2013
Pengerusi : Profesor Jegak Uli, PhD
Fakulti : Pengajian Pendidikan
Kajian ini dijalankan untuk meningkatkan tahap pengetahuan dan menentukan faktor-
faktor yang membantu menjelaskan variasi prestasi kerja pekerja di semua organisasi
Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia. Objektif-objektif khusus bagi kajian ini ialah: (1)
Menentukan hubungan di antara modal fizikal dan kewangan, insan, sosial, alam semula
jadi serta prestasi kerja, (2) Menilai empat faktor yang dicadangkan dalam model regresi
untuk menjelaskan variasi prestasi kerja antara pekerja di organisasi sektor awam di
Malaysia, dan (3) Menentukan sejauh mana jantina dan kategori pekerjaan sebagai
moderator dapat mempengaruhi hubungan di antara modal fizikal dan kewangan, insan,
sosial, alam semula jadi dengan prestasi kerja.
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Pembolehubah tetap bagi kajian ini ialah prestasi kerja. Manakala, pembolehubah
berubah ialah empat jenis sumber modal yang dikenali sebagai modal fizikal dan
kewangan (PFC), modal insan (HC), modal sosial (SC) dan modal alam semula jadi
(NC). Kajian ini dilaksanakan berasaskan Model Prestasi Kerja (Harwell, 1979) dan
“expanded model of ecological economic system” seperti yang dinyatakan oleh
(Costanza, Cumberland, Daly, Goodland, & Norgaard, 1997). Kedua-dua model ini
focus pada asas penggabungan empat jenis modal seperti fizikal dan kewangan, insan,
sosial dan alam semula jadi yang mana penggantian di antaranya adalah terhad.
Penggunaan empat jenis modal ini secara seimbang adalah penting dan wajar untuk
meningkatkan kecemerlangan prestasi kerja. Kajian ini mengandaikan bahawa modal
fizikal dan kewangan, insan, sosial dan alam semula jadi mempunyai hubungan positif
dengan prestasi kerja. Kempat-empat modal ini juga menyumbang secara positif variasi
prestasi kerja. Bahkan juga, dua moderator iaitu jantina dan kategori pekerjaan dapat
mempengaruhi hubungan di antara modal (PFC, HC, SC and NC) dengan prestasi kerja.
Kajian ini menggunakan pensempel kluster dua peringkat yang telah dihuraikan oleh
Scheafer, Mendenhall dan Ott (1990, p. 224). Langkah pertama, menentukan kelompok
yang sesuai bagi kajian ini. Sehubungan itu, sebanyak 25 kementerian persekutuan telah
dikumpulkan dan 6 kementerian dipilih secara pensempel rawak mudah. Tambahan
pula, pensempel kluster dua peringkat juga digunakan untuk memilih 90 responden dari
setiap kementerian dengan cara pensempel rawak mudah. Seramai 540 pekerja telah
dipilih sebagai responden dan semua memberi respon yang baik.
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Keputusan kajian ini menggambarkan bahawa semua modal (PFC, HC, SC and NC)
dapat menunjukkan hubungan positif dengan prestasi kerja. Tambahan pula, hanya dua
modal (HC and SC) sahaja dapat menyumbang kepada variasi prestasi kerja secara
signifikan. Modal insan mendahului senarai sebagai penyumbang yang terbesar diikuti
dengan modal social untuk menjelaskan variasi prestasi kerja. Moderator jantina dan
ketegori kerja dapat mempengaruhi hubungan di antara modal sosial dengan prestasi
kerja sahaja. Hakikatnya, hubungan di antara PFC, HC dan NC dengan prestasi kerja
boleh dirujuk sebagai pengukur umum bagi perbezaan jantina dan semua kategori
jawatan.
Berdasarkan penemuan dan rumusan daripada kajian ini, sokongan digalurkan seperti
berikut: Sesebuah organisasi mestilah menawarkan sumber modal yang perlu secara
mencukupi mengikut tahap kepentingan semasa supaya memastikan peningkatan
prestasi kerja berlaku secara berterusan dan optima. Bahkan juga, pengagihan modal
haruslah diuruskan secara bijaksana demi meningkatkan tahap pengeluaran di organisasi
sektor awam.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research has provided me with great challenges and opportunities to gain indepth
knowledge of work performance and unexpected insights into public sector operations.
Nevertheless, I have faced up to the challenges of this academic project and thank the
good Lord for the strength he has given me to bring this project to conclusion.
I would especially wish to convey my sincere thanks and special appreciation to my
supervisory committee chairman, Professor Dr. Jegak Uli for his encouragement,
comments and guidance. His patience and supportiveness really guided me to complete
this research successfully. I also like to thank my committee members Associate
Professor Dr. Khairuddin Idris and Dr. Jamilah Othman for their valuable comments,
suggestions and motivations throughout this research.
My thanks also go to Professor Dr. Md. Salleh Hj. Hassan, Associate Professor Dr.
Bahaman Abu Samah, Associate Professor Dr. Noor Azman Ali and Pn. Hashimah
Hashim who have helped me in so many ways.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks are due to my beloved wife, Pilomina, for shouldering most
of the family responsibilities during the year of my postgraduate study, and for her
constant inspiration and support. My special thanks also go to my daughter, Shaleen
Grace and son Alfred Joachiym, for their love, understanding and tolerance. Similar
appreciation is also extended to my loving mother, aunt and all my family members.
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Lastly, I would like to dedicate this important milestone in my life to the Almighty.
With gratitude and appreciation to all.
K.Thomas.
MAY 2013
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I certify that an Examination Committee met on 30 May 2013 to conduct the final
examination of Thomas kathiraveloo on his Doctor of Philosophy thesis entitled
“Relationships between Organizational Capitals and Employee Work Performance in
Malaysian Public Organizations” in accordance with Universities and Colleges Act 1971
and the Constitution of the Universiti Putra Malaysia [P.U.(A) 106] 15 March 1998. The
Committee recommends that the student be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy.
Members of the Thesis Examination Committee were as follows:
Aminah Binti Ahmad, PhD
Professor
Department of Professional Development and Extensional Education
Faculty of Educational Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Chairman)
Bahaman Bin Abu Samah, PhD
Associate Professor
Institute for Social Science Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Internal Examiner)
Shamsuddin Bin Ahmad, PhD
Lecturer
Department of Professional Development and Extensional Education
Faculty of Educational Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Internal Examiner)
Robert Rowden, PhD
Professor
University of Capella
United States of America
(External Examiner)
__________________________
NORITAH BINTI OMAR, PhD
Associate Professor and Deputy Dean
School of Graduate Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
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This thesis was submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been
accepted as fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The
members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows:
Jegak Uli, PhD
Professor
Faculty of Defence Management and Studies
National Defence University of Malaysia
(Chairman)
Khairuddin Idris, PhD
Associate Professor
Faculty of educational Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(member)
Jamilah Othman,PhD
Lecturer
Faculty of Educational Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(member)
___________________________
BUJANG BIN KIM HUAT, PhD
Professor and Dean
School of Graduate Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
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DECLARATION
I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotation and citation which have
been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously, and is not
concurrently, submitted for any other degree at University Putra Malaysia or at any other
institution.
__________________________
THOMAS KATHIRAVELOO
Date : 30 May 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT ii
ABSTRAK v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii
APPROVAL x
DECLARATION xii
LIST OF TABLES xvi
LIST OF FIGURES xviii
LIST OF ABBREAVIATIONS xx
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION
Focus of the Study 1
Importance of Performance 2
Background of the Study 4
Statement of problem 14
Research questions 16
Objective of the Study 16
Research Hypotheses 17
Significance of the Study 19
Limitation of the Study 20
Operational Definition 21
Summary 22
II LITERATURE REVIEW
Work performance
Definition of Work Performance 24
Performance Drivers 27
Work Performance Theory 29
Dimension of Work Performance 31
Type of Capitals 33
Physical and Financial Capital 34
Theory of Physical and Financial Capital 39
Human Capital 41
Theory of Human capital 45
Social Capital 47
Theory Of Social Capital 51
Natural Capital 52
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Theory of Natural Capital 55
Relationship between Capital and Work Performance 56
Physical and Financial Capital and Work Performance 56
Human Capital and Work Performance 57
Social Capital and Work Performance 59
Natural Capital and Work Performance 61
Moderator and Work Performance 62
Gender 62
Job Category 63
Work Performance Model 63
Theoretical Framework 64
Summary 68
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction 69
Research Design 69
Research Framework 70
Research Instrument Development 71
The First Phase 72
The Second Phase 76
Instrument Reliability 78
Population, Samples Size and Power Analysis 82
Data Preparation 85
Construct Validity of Study Instrument 85
Data Analysis 113
Objective 1 113
Objective 2 113
Objective 3 114
Objective 4 116
Summary 118
IV FINDING AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Profile of Respondents 119
Level of Organizational Capitals’ Items 120
Physical and Financial capital 121
Human Capital 124
Social Capital 134
Natural Capital 138
Work Performance 140
Correlation Analyses 148
Contribution of Organizational Capitals towards WP 152
Moderating effect: Gender & Job Category 156
Summary of Hypotheses Testing 160
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Summary 161
V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary 162
Hypothesis of the study 164
Methodology 165
Summary of major findings 166
Conclusion 167
Implication of the Study 169
Theoretical implication 169
Practical implication 170
Practical Recommendation 175
Recommendation for Future Research 179
BIBLIOGRAPHY 181
APPENDICES 208
BIODATA OF STUDENT 218